Kyr arched a daring brow. “So you’re declaring war on us, then.”

Zarya inwardly cringed as she realized what Darling had done.

For her.

The moment he’d yanked his helmet off and allowed Kyr to know Kere’s identity, he’d legally declared war on the League.

Now, there was no going back.

But Darling was nothing, if not a brilliant politician. “Interesting concept. I would say that you declared it on us when you marched your army into our empire and destroyed our property, then kidnapped our citizens. And now we’re answering it. No one seizes my people. I don’t care who you think you are.”

“We were invited in by your own council who wanted you removed from power.”

“Were you?” Darling asked with a hint of laughter in his voice. “That’s not what I heard. In fact, I have the entire CDS who will swear they never asked for you to intervene. That you took it upon yourself to attack us.”

“Do you really think they’ll back you over me?”

Darling grinned evilly. “Since they declared me emperor, yeah, I do.”

“You have no idea what you’re unleashing right now, verikon.”

Zarya wasn’t sure what that word meant, or the language it belonged to, but from Darling’s reaction, it was obvious he knew it well.

“And neither do you, ciratile. You ever try this shit again with me and mine, and I will rape and plunder the village, and burn the motherfucker to the ground…” He looked around at the bodies on the floor. “And as you’ve seen here today, there ain’t nothing you bitches can do to stop me. Talk is cheap. Pain is free. And I’m peddling the shit out of it. So you come on and get some.”

Kyr laughed as if he relished the thought. “War it is. Good luck, Emperor.” He sneered that title. “No one will ever support you in this. You’re about to find out what happens to nations that fight alone.”

Nykyrian jerked his helmet off and moved to stand beside Darling. “You would be wrong there, Zemen. Not only does he have the full backing of Nemesis and the Sentella, he has that of my people. From both sides. Human and Andarion.”

“And you can add mine to it, too,” Caillen said as he exposed his face. “The Exeterians fear nothing, and I’m pretty sure the Qillaqs will back us, too. After all, they love a good fight. The bigger, the bloodier, the better.”

Fain, Ryn, and Chayden didn’t expose their faces, but they stood shoulder to shoulder behind Darling. “The Tavali will always fight and back the Sentella, especially against the League.”

Kyr took a full minute before he spoke again. “All of you will regret this.”

Darling smirked. “The war is on. Can’t wait for our first dance.”

An instant later, the screens went dark.

“How rude!” Jayne tsked. “It’s a good thing he’s on the other side of the universe, otherwise, I’d have to hunt him down and school him.”